Bernard Rutherford, RIP

The Atlanta Fight Community and KnuckleUp lost a good friend this week when local fighter Bernard Rutherford died from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident. The colorful Rutherford, whose ring name was “Roughneck,” “always made an impression with his unique ring walks,” says local promoter David Oblass.

“Bernard Rutherford was a good guy and one of the most well-liked guys in the fight community. His cage entrance with a gasoline jug from which he drank is etched in my memory for a lifetime. He had swagger before the word swagger existed. Reading his Facebook comments today, it’s interesting seeing not only how many people in the MMA community he impacted, but how many people outside as well. Bernard will be missed by many, many people.” —Promoter David Oblass

KnuckleUp Owner, C.J. Wilson, says he had known and liked Rutherford for many years and added this about the tragic passing: “ There are too many of our industry friends and family passing away lately, so everybody please be careful out there.”